Jang group wants independent SC probe into license issue

Embattled Jang media group today appealed to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Chief Justice to form an independent Supreme Court Commission to enquire if Geo News violated terms of its license and whether it has historically been pursuing an anti-Pakistan agenda.
The group said it "does not expect any justice, fair play or impartiality" from the country's electronic media regulator PEMRA.
The Defence Ministry has filed a complaint before PEMRA seeking cancellation of Geo News' license after it aired allegations that the ISI and its chief were behind the assassination attempt on its leading anchor Hamid Mir.
In an appeal posted on the Geo website, the group said PEMRA is full of political appointees who are open to influence from powerful people and institutions.

According to Geo, the issues at stake are "the difference between a patriot and traitor - who in Pakistan is authorized to define what is 'anti-Pakistan' and enforce it?"
The media group said PEMRA "has never in its history decided against the government of the day". Already the Government has shown a bias against GEO without hearing its defence.

The Interior Minister has publically condemned GEO, saying the allegation aired the channel about Hamid Mir is a violation of rules and is anti-Pakistan.
The Defence Minister has also indicated his stance as the Defence Ministry has sent the ISI complaint to PEMRA, it said.

"Before even being heard, we have been shut down and our position on television has been moved arbitrarily, as the majority of the nation's cable operators, especially in DHA and Cantonment and PEMRA could not restore our channels. It appears as it they are involved and are complicit in some conspiracy through fear.
"The grave, written and public allegation of the ISI against Jang Group of 'having a history of furthering anti-Pakistan agenda' is tantamount to being called a traitor and has jeopardised the security of our staff and the very existence of Jang Group which has been serving the nation and its people from the beginning of Pakistan," the appeal said.

This grave allegation is not under the ambit of PEMRA to review. It needs to be addressed immediately.
"We demand that ISI should submit evidence referred to in the complaint letter sent to Defence Ministry and forwarded to PEMRA on April 21, 2014, to the Judicial Commission which can hear our defence and decide if the allegation holds true or has been given in spite," it said.
"The Jang Group is willing to suffer any punishment, including shut down, if any of these allegations hold true. The truth will make us not break us," it said.